
68n
Switching off the engine Parking brakeTurn the ignition key to position 1 or 0.
Do not remove the ignition key 
while the vehicle is rolling. The 
steering locks, making it impossible to 
steer the vehicle.
Always remove the ignition key and 
engage the steering lock before leaving 
the vehicle.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake 
when parking on hills and inclined 
surfaces, as first gear or reverse may 
not provide adequate resistance to 
rolling. 
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."< 
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
The vehicle must be stationary and the 
selector lever in "Park" before you can 
remove the ignition key.
The parking brake is primarily designed 
to prevent the vehicle from rolling while 
parked. It operates on the rear wheels.To engageThe lever engages automatically and 
the "PARK BRAKE" or "BRAKE" (in 
Canada "P") indicator lamp comes on in 
the instrument cluster in ignition key 
position 2. Refer to pages 19 and 20.To releasePull up slightly on the lever, press the 
button and lower the lever.390de714
If, in exceptional circumstances, it 
should be necessary to engage 
the parking brake while the vehicle is in 
motion, do not pull it with excessive 
pressure. Keep your thumb pressed 
against the release button while care-
fully pulling up the lever to apply 
moderate pressure.
Excessive pressure can lead to over-
braking and loss of traction (fishtailing) 
at the rear.
The brake lamps do not come on when 
the parking brake is applied.
Vehicles with manual transmission:
Always engage the parking brake 
when parking on hills and inclined 
surfaces, as first gear or reverse may 
not provide adequate resistance to 
rolling.
Vehicles with automatic transmission:
Place the selector lever in "Park."< 
You can help prevent corrosion and 
avoid uneven braking response by 
gently engaging the parking brake from 
time to time when coasting to a stop at 
traffic lights (ensure that you will not 
pose a hazard to other road users).  

77n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Washer/Wiper system
Turn the rain sensor off in auto-
matic car washes. Failure to do so 
could result in damage caused by 
undesired wiper activation.< 
Normal wiper speedThe system automatically reverts to 
operation in the intermittent mode 
whenever the vehicle is stationary (not 
on vehicles with rain sensor
*).
Fast wiper speedThe wipers revert to operation at stan-
dard speed when the vehicle stops (not 
on vehicles with rain sensor
*).
Clean the windshieldThe system sprays washer fluid against 
the windshield and activates the wipers 
for a brief period.
Intensive cleaning
*
As in setting 5. In addition, an intensive-
action washer fluid is first sprayed on 
the windshield.
For changing the wiper blades, refer to 
page 150.Cleaning headlights
*
When the headlights are on, they are 
also cleaned automatically every fifth 
time you activate the clean the wind-
shield (5) or intensive cleaning (6) 
mode.
Do not use the washers if there is 
any danger that the fluid will 
freeze on the windshield, as your vision 
could be obscured. Always use an anti-
freeze agent. Refer to page 139.
Do not use the washers when the reser-
voir is empty. This could cause damage 
to the washer pump.< Windshield washer jetsThe windshield washer jets are warmed 
automatically when the ignition key is in 
position 2.
Rear window wiper Ð sport wagon0 Retracted (home) position of the rear 
window wiper
1 Rear window wiper in intermittent 
operation. Automatically switches to 
continuos operation when reverse is 
engaged
2 Clean the rear window
You can also program the interval:
>Switch briefly from position 0 to posi-
tion 1
>The time until reactivation (from posi-
tion 0 to 1) is the programmed 
interval (max. 30 seconds).392de726 

81n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Tachometer Energy control Fuel gaugeDo not operate the engine with the 
needle in the red overspeed zone of the 
gauge.
To protect the engine, the engine-
management system interrupts the fuel 
supply when you approach this sector.390us004
Indicates the current fuel consumption 
in mpg (in liters/100 km on Canadian 
vehicles). This allows you to see 
whether your current driving style is 
conducive to fuel economy with 
minimum exhaust emissions.
When the vehicle is stationary, the 
display goes to "Maximum" (zero on 
Canadian models).390us005
When you switch on the ignition, the 
indicator lamp comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational. 
If the indicator lamp stays on, there are 
approx. 
>2.0 gal (8 liters) Ð 
BMW 525i, BMW 530i
>2.5 gal (10 liters) Ð BMW 540i
of fuel still in the tank.
Tank capacity: refer to page 173
Certain operating conditions (such as 
those encountered in mountainous 
areas) may cause the needle to fluc-
tuate slightly.
Please refuel early, since driving 
to the last drop of fuel can result in 
damage to the engine and/or catalytic 
converter.< 390us006 

82n
Coolant temperature gauge Service Interval DisplayBlueThe engine is still cold. Drive at 
moderate engine and vehicle speeds.RedWhen you switch on the ignition, the 
warning lamp
* comes on briefly to 
confirm that the system is operational.
If the warning lamp lights up during 
normal vehicle operation, or the 
message "COOLANT TEMPERATURE" 
appears in the Check Control
*, the 
engine is overheated. Shut off the 
engine immediately and allow it to cool 
down.
390de007
Between the blue and red zonesNormal operating range. The needle 
may rise as far as the edge of the red 
sector in normal operation.
Checking coolant level: refer to 
page 142.
The range of available displays varies 
according to your individual vehicle's 
equipment.
Green lampsThe number of illuminated lamps 
decreases as the time for your next 
maintenance visit approaches.Yellow lampThis field appears together with 
OILSERVICE or INSPECTION.
Maintenance is due. Please contact 
your BMW center for an appointment.Red lampThe maintenance deadline has been 
passed.390us702 

83n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check ControlGraphic display
*
The following alerts and status 
messages are displayed with icons from 
ignition key position 2 and remain in the 
display until the defects are corrected:
1 Check low beams
2 Add washer fluid (goes out after 
approx. 1 minute)
3 Door open
4 Luggage compartment lid/tailgate 
open
5 Check brake and tail lamps. 
A defective center brake lamp is indi-
cated by the upper symbol
When you open the door after stopping, 
a warning signal sounds without a 
visual indicator for: 
>"LIGHTS ON" and
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK."390de121
Alphanumeric display
*
Text messages are used to alert the 
driver to system malfunctions when the 
ignition key is turned to position 2. The 
alert is accompanied by a gong.
1 Status report symbol
2 Display
3 CHECK button
Messages warning of system malfunc-
tions are assigned one of two priority 
levels:390us111
Priority 1
These defects are immediately indi-
cated by a gong and a flashing warning 
symbol 1. Simultaneous defects will be 
displayed consecutively. These status 
messages remain in the display until the 
defects are corrected. They cannot be 
deleted by pressing the CHECK 
button 3. 

84n
Check Control>"RELEASE PARKINGBRAKE"
>"COOLANT TEMPERATURE"
The coolant is overheated. Stop the 
vehicle immediately and switch off 
the engine. Refer to pages 82 
and 142
>"STOP! ENGINE OILPRESS"
The oil pressure is too low. Stop the 
vehicle immediately and switch off 
the engine. Refer to pages 19, 140
>"CHECK BRAKE FLUID"
Indicates that brake fluid is down to 
roughly minimum level. Have the 
reservoir topped up at the earliest 
opportunity, refer to page 143. Have 
the source of the brake fluid loss 
repaired at your BMW center
>"TIRE DEFECT"
*
Reduce vehicle speed immediately 
and stop the vehicle. Avoid hard 
brake applications. Do not oversteer. 
Refer to page 100
>"SELFLEVEL SUSP.INACT"
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. Refer to page 99
>"SPEED LIMIT"
*
Display if the programmed speed 
limit has been exceeded, refer to 
page 91Priority 2
These displays appear for 20 seconds 
when the ignition key is turned to posi-
tion 2. The warning symbols remain 
after the message disappears. You can 
display the messages again by pressing 
the CHECK button 3:
>"TRUNKLID OPEN"
Message appears only when the 
vehicle is initially set in motion
>"DOOR OPEN"
This message appears after a defined 
road speed has been exceeded
>"FASTEN SEAT BELTS"
*
In addition to this message, a 
warning lamp with the safety belt icon 
appears and an acoustic signal 
sounds
>"WASHER FLUID LOW"
Too low; top up fluid at the next 
opportunity. Refer to page 139
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
The engine oil level is at the absolute 
minimum. You should respond by 
topping up the oil as soon as 
possible, refer to page 140. Do not 
continue for more than approximately 
30 miles (50 km) before adding oil>"CHECK FILLER CAP"
Inspect the cap to make sure that it is 
closed properly, refer to page 24. If 
the cap is not closed securely it will 
trigger the "Service Engine Soon" 
lamp
>"OUTSIDE TEMP. +20  7 (Ð5 6)"
This display is only an example. The 
current temperature is displayed at 
outside temperatures of +37.5 7
(+3 6) and below. Refer also to 
page 80
>"SET TIRE PRESSURE"
*
The RDC has imported the current 
inflation pressure in the tires as the 
target values which the system will 
monitor.
Refer to page 99
>"CHECK TIRE PRESSURE"
*
Check and correct the tire inflation 
pressure to specifications at the 
earliest opportunity (next stop for 
fuel).
Refer to page 99
>"TIRECONTROL INACTIVE"
*
A temporary interference of the RDC 
or a system fault. Refer to page 100
>"CHECK BRAKE LIGHTS"
A lamp has failed or the electrical 
circuit has a fault. Refer to pages 154 
and 160 or consult a BMW center 

85n
OverviewControlsMaintenanceRepairsDataIndex
Check Control>"CHECK LOWBEAM LIGHTS"
"CHECK SIDE LIGHTS"
"CHECK REAR LIGHTS"
"CHECK FRONT FOGLAMPS"
"CHECK LICPLATE LIGHT"
"CHECK HIGHBEAM LIGHT"
"CHECK BACK UP LIGHTS"
Defective bulb or circuit. Refer to 
pages 151 and following, page 160 
or consult your BMW center.
>"TRANS. FAILSAFE PROG"
Please consult the nearest BMW 
center. Refer to pages 72 and 75
>"CHECK BRAKE LININGS"
Have the brake pads inspected by 
your BMW center. Refer to page 132
>"CHECK COOLANT LEVEL"
Coolant too low, top up at the next 
opportunity. Refer to page 142
>"ENGINE FAILSAFE PROG"
*
Indicates a malfunction in the elec-
tronic engine-management system, 
which then reverts to an emergency 
default program allowing continued 
operation at reduced power and 
lower engine speeds.
Please have the system inspected at 
your BMW center.
Displays after completion of tripAll of the malfunctions registered during 
the trip appear consecutively when the 
ignition key is turned to position 0.
The following displays will appear when 
appropriate:
>"LIGHTS ON"
>"KEY IN IGNITION LOCK"
>"CHECK ENGINE OIL LEV"
Add engine oil at the next opportunity 
(next stop for fuel). Refer to 
page 140.
This display appears when you open 
the driver's door after parking the 
vehicle. A supplementary gong is also 
heard.
Status reports remain available for a 
period of approx. three minutes after 
the display goes out and the key is 
removed from the ignition. Press the 
CHECK button 3. If there were multiple 
reports, press the CHECK button 
repeatedly to view them all in 
sequence.
To check the Check ControlPress the CHECK button 3 with the 
ignition key in position 2: 
CHECK CONTROL OK appears in the 
display.
No malfunctions are present in the 
monitored systems.ComputerYou can find a description of the 
computer on pages 86 and 91 as well 
as in the "Owner's Manual for Onboard 
Computer."
You can select the language in 
which the Check Control displays 
and the status reports from the 
computer will appear.<  

96n
The conceptPDC provides extra safety and conve-
nience during parking maneuvers by 
providing an acoustic signal to indicate 
the distance between your front and 
rear bumpers and the nearest object. 
The monitoring range for the front and 
two rear sensors extends outward 
roughly 2 ft (60 cm), while the rear 
bumper's two centrally located sensors 
detect objects at distances of up to 
approx. 5 ft (1.50 meters).Automatic functionThe system starts to operate automati-
cally approx. one second after you 
select reverse or move the selector 
lever into the "R" position with the igni-
tion key in position 2.
Manual activationPress the button, the indicator lamp 
lights up. 
When you subsequently drive a 
distance of more than approx. 160 ft 
(50 meters) or exceed a speed of 
approx. 20 mph (30 km/h), the system 
switches off and the indicator lamp 
goes out. Reactivate the system as 
required.390us727
Acoustic signalsThe distance from an obstacle is indi-
cated in front with a higher intermittent 
tone, at the rear with a lower intermit-
tent tone. As the distance between 
vehicle and object decreases, the inter-
vals between the tones become 
shorter. A continuous tone indicates the 
presence of an object less than 1 ft 
(30 cm) away.
The warning signal is canceled after 
approx. three seconds if you are 
moving parallel to a wall.
If there is a malfunction of the system:
The indicator lamp flashes and a brief 
continuous signal tone is heard
>if you activate PDC with the button
>when you first select reverse or move 
the selector lever into the "R" posi-
tion after switching on the ignition
>if a malfunction occurs while the PDC 
system is active.
Switch the system off and have the 
cause of the malfunction corrected at 
your BMW center.
Park Distance Control (PDC)
*